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Illinois State Police have some tips for drivers so they don’t end up on a viral road rage video.

A video of two drivers fighting on Interstate 57 resulted in the arrest of 26-year-old Sheniqka Thomas getting arrested and charged with criminal damage to property.

The video shows a woman swinging a bat from inside a car while swerving into another lane. The woman gets out and continues to swing the bat, engaging with another person. The viral video spurred the Illinois State Police to reach out to the public for help.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where someone is coming after you, don’t hesitate to call law enforcement.

“Do what you can to de-escalate the situation,” ISP Trooper Mindy Carroll said. “Give them some space and try to ignore them.”

And if someone’s left-lane lingering, phone-watching or other driving habits have you about to blow, Carroll said not to take it personally.

“Take a breather, step back a little bit, and do what you need to do to get away from that vehicle,” she said.

Car insurance analysis website theZebra.com said Millennials are most likely to experience road rage.

AAA said more than 12,500 injuries have been caused by driver violence since 2007.

* The Question: Have you ever been involved in a road rage incident? Tell us the story.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:05 pm

Comments

Define Road Rage. I have it everyone day in Springpatch when behind drivers who can’t find the long skinny pedal that makes the car at least approach the speed limits.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:08 pm
Only one time I almost followed someone home. Driving at night on Ill. 29 between Taylorville and Pana. Person in front of me tossed his/her cigarette out and it hit my windshield and it was almost like having a firework show on my car. I was mad 1) because I hate drivers that toss cigarette butts out and 2) the explosion terrified me. After I calmed down, I talked myself out of following him/her home for fear of what might happen after that. Still irks me to this day though.

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:16 pm
No violence, but definite rage at people who purposely block lanes when approaching construction zones (specifically when done a mile before the lane closing).

Comment by Efficiency Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:20 pm
I had a few incidents, but that was a while ago. The worst one was where a crazy guy came out of his car with a knife and started walking toward my car. I could have run him over but I backed up, did a u-turn and drove away. I absolutely don’t want to be on any end of a road rage incident. For what, a few seconds out of my life and I want to alter it forever?

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:21 pm
===who purposely block lanes when approaching construction zones===

It me.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:21 pm
“at least approach the speed limits”

Take a look at who is behind the wheel. An 80 year old trying to get to a doctor’s appt or buy some groceries? I suppose the could take advantage of our extensive system of public transportation instead . . . . .

Or you could just take a deep breath.

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:21 pm
Blocking a lane in a construction zone actually speeds up the waiting time to get into the 1 operable Lane

Comment by Drake Mallard Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:37 pm
===It me.===
I do that too. I’ve been part of car lines where myself and a couple other cars block both lanes. I wonder if one…was you?

Comment by COS Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:38 pm
===I do that too. I’ve been part of car lines where myself and a couple other cars block both lanes. I wonder if one…was you?===

Why… would you do that? You realize it makes traffic much worse for everyone, right? If not, please Google it.

Comment by Efficiency Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:47 pm
The Department of Transportations recommends The Zipper Merge for several reasons, including:

• Can reduce the overall length of traffic by up to 40%.
• Reduces lane speed differences.
• Improves throughput of traffic, even in heavily congested areas.
• Reduces congestion on highway exchanges.
• Reduces accidents in construction zones.

https://www.trafficsafetystore.com/blog/the-zipper-merge-could-impolite-drivers-be-in-the-right/

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:50 pm
“Have you ever been involved in a road rage incident?”

No, but there have been dozens of times when I’ve very calmly turned to MrsJM and said, “And this 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 is the reason I don’t carry a gun‼”

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:54 pm
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/
Blocking the other lane is not only dangerous, but it also slows the process down.

Comment by JustTheFacts Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:59 pm
Note: I am deaf and use American Sign Language to communicate.

Once, I took a incorrect turn while taking a coworker home one late Chicago evening. He was trying to help me when he was communicating with me through American Sign Language, a car full of guys pulled right up to us (assuming) throwing gang signs and showing us their handguns while shouting at us. Thankfully, a CPD squad car was within the area and stopped us both before it escalated…

Comment by Iamthepita Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:02 pm
===It me.===
I do that too. I’ve been part of car lines where myself and a couple other cars block both lanes. I wonder if one…was you?===

Efficiency is absolutely right. Not only is a zipper merge more, uh, efficient, allowing more cars through in the same amount of time, doing what you’re doing is downright dangerous.

As an aside, I was in the open lane going into a construction zone a few years ago, when a truck jumped out to block me and I ended up sideways because I had to slam my brakes and turn the wheel not to hit the guy. I got the last laugh though - there was a cop in the line and he immediately pulled the truck over.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:18 pm
==The Department of Transportations recommends The Zipper Merge==

But you always get those yahoos that speed up to the front (bypassing the zipper) and gum up the works. Like several others, I SLOWLY move over…with a block to go to the merge…to prevent this practice.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:21 pm
I should get a zipper merge bumper sticker.

Comment by JJJJJJJJJJJ Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:21 pm
=But you always get those yahoos that speed up to the front (bypassing the zipper)=

In a zipper merge, the lanes zip together at the merge point, which is where the lane ends, not before it, not when there is a sign that says “left lane closed ahead” or anything else.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:28 pm
Considering the difficulty drivers have with following Scott’s Law, I don’t see any way we can move to an “everyone understands the zipper merge” society any time soon.

Also, what’s up with Missouri drivers? Most of the left lane campers I encounter on 55 have MO plates. Do they not have passing lanes there?

Comment by tildef Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:51 pm
- what’s up with Missouri drivers?-
6 million people but eight last names

Comment by Drake Mallard Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:58 pm
Back in high school a friend gave the finger to a dump truck driver who sped up rather than allow us to change lanes. The driver took offense, swerved hard at us and then gestured for us to pull over, I guess to settle the issue with our fists. I kept going and am thankful for the power of the 350 CC engine that left him behind as he pursued and we made our way off the highway.

Comment by Quizzical Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 9:05 pm
==people who purposely block lanes when approaching construction zones (specifically when done a mile before the lane closing).

The zipper merge is your friend. I’m not sure what drives people to be so obsessed that someone isn’t getting maybe up to 1 minute on them, but the reality is that the zipper merge makes everyone faster.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 10:54 pm
“whats up with Missouri drivers”

Missouri is one of those states that does not have drivers ed in high school.
Basically, if your parents are bad drivers, chances are you will be one too.
I go to Cape Girardeau weekly, you wouldn’t believe the antics I’ve seen.

Comment by efudd Friday, Oct 11, 19 @ 8:27 am
Driving St. Louis reminds me of Boston, pure chaos.

Comment by SpfdNewb Friday, Oct 11, 19 @ 8:37 am
I’m a huge fan of the zipper merge… but 99% of the yahoos roaring up the soon to be closed lane are simply trying to cut people off and cause everyone else to slam on the brakes. It’s a rare person that understands how to do it without being a doofus.

Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Friday, Oct 11, 19 @ 2:52 pm